WHEN GOD LEADS…
Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that GOD DID NOT LEAD THEM by the way of the Philistines…GOD LED THE PEOPLE around by the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in ordinary ranks out of the land of Egypt – Exodus 13:17-18 NKJV
God might not always lead us the way we want to be led. Our responsibility is to TRUST Him and DEPEND on Him if He leads us through the wilderness of life; for God will never lead anyone to a place where He will not be there personally to guide, provide, and protect.
The shortest way is always appealing to everyone on a destination. Logically, this is OK. But with God, this might not OK. The shortest way sometimes turns to be the way to destruction.
The children of Israel were on their way to the Promised Land after God delivered them from the tyranny of Pharaoh in Egypt.
God was with them, leading them by the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Exo. 13:22).
The Bible says, “God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land” (Exo. 13:17 NLT, Emphasis Added).
Wait a minute! I thought if I am being pursued by a mighty enemy, I will take the shortest route to safety? Yeah…that sounds right logically. But not with God!
God instead led the people by the way of the wilderness. Wilderness! Yes, wilderness. I thought I was set free to go to the Promised Land. Yes…you are right. But not the way you think you will get there. You have to go through the way the one who delivered you is leading you. And that is God!
No!!! Not the wilderness! God says…through the wilderness. No…not the narrow gate…not the difficult way. But God says…that is the way to life.
God is life…and so He will always lead you to the way of life…abundant life. But it doesn’t look like I am being led into life, you cry. God says, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. Just follow me. Follow me through the wilderness for I have a purpose of leading you through that wilderness.”
GOD WILL NEVER LEAD US THROUGH SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. There is always a purpose why God to lead you through the wilderness rather than through the shortest way.
He is God. He created the wilderness. He knows all the corners of the wilderness. He knows where the rock that brings forth water is positioned in that wilderness. He knows where the palm tree to shelter you is located.
God is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). He will lead you through the wilderness into green pastures (Psa. 23:2); into still waters (Psa. 23:2). He will protect you from the scourging sun and from all ravenous beasts.
You don’t have to be AFRAID because of the wilderness. Remember…God can even transform a wilderness into a well watered land (see Isaiah 35).
What then should I do…You may ask? SIMPLE!!! TRUST GOD; DEPEND on Him… and LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. He is a God of Integrity. He will not break His Word. He says…I will never leave you not forsake you (Heb. 13:5). I will lead you with my own eye.
As God is taking you to the other side, believe Him when He says…Let’s go to the other side (Luke 8:22). Ok… Storms may rage…Winds may blow…But remember that the ONE who says to go to the other side is the creator of them all. By His single word, the storm is calmed and the wind is stopped.
When God leads you, even by the way of the wilderness, remember that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. If He begins with you, He will end with you. He who has begun a good work in you will take it to completion (Phil. 1:6).
When God leads, just TRUST Him…just DEPEND on and RELY entirely on Him. He will take you to the Promised Land…He will cross over with you to the other side. Don’t be afraid of the wilderness…Don’t be afraid of the storm or the wind. The Almighty God, who is help for the powerless against the mighty, is with you.
As He leads you, just follow. When He stops, stop. When God moves move with Him. He will direct your paths and lead you to the Promised Land.
Remember that God’s ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts. His ways are higher than our ways…So follow His leadership and go the higher way.
